Being a Perfectionist is Hard Work

Planning a bridal shower and being a perfectionist/Martha-Stewart-wannabe do not mix. Especially when you’re trying not to spend a lot of money on said bridal shower.

Next weekend I am throwing a bridal shower for my friend, K, who I have known since I was two years old. Since I’m always trying to be the “hostess with the most-est” I’ve had about a thousand ideas for what I should do for the shower, including about 6 different menus I’ve planned, 7 or 8 ideas for favors, and two whole days searching for the “perfect” invitations (I gave up and just picked up a bunch of invitations that were not completely horrible at Hallmark and sent those out). It’s been driving me crazy.

But! I’ve finally had to make some decisions (since the shower is less than two weeks away) and get stuff done. Last night I finished up the favors – little decorated hand-made paper envelopes that will be stuffed with two bags of tea. I cut the paper, punched the holes (for ribbon), bought a sticker maker and made 26 heart-shaped stickers (which were hand cut, folded the paper (with my bone-folder, of course), and then assembled the envelopes. Oh, and they say “Love is Brewing” in coordinated ink.

It’s a sickness. Really.

I’m serving three types of tea sandwiches: chicken guacamole on whole wheat, cucumber with chive cream cheese on pumpernickel rye, and prociutto melon on white. I’m also serving fruit salad, mint tea punch, and cup cakes. I was going to make individual rose-shaped tea cakes, but the pan cost about $30, and I figured Aaron would freak if I bought yet another specialty pan.

But the real issue? I just realized last night I have to find table cloths, buy plates and silverware (plasticware, actually, but whatever), get a centerpiece (I’m thinking of making a tea-towel “cake”), and oh, yeah. I should probably get a gift too.

So I’m freaking out.

I don’t know why I do this to myself, but this actually isn’t too bad. You should have seen me before my wedding (which was two days after I finished finals for that semester). I was a wreck. I guess that’s what I get for being so picky and trying to make everything “perfect”.